Sydney train workers consider new pay offer

Fair Work Commission ruling on Sydney Trains strike0:00

A 24 hour strike by Sydney Trains staff is being examined by the Fair Work Commission.
Monday's industrial action has been referred to the Commission by the New South Wales government, as pay talks continue to stall.
Reduced weekend level services have already been implemented and will continue tomorrow as workers refuse to partake in overtime.

January 25th 2018

24 days ago

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Train workers are now considering the new pay deal on the table. Picture: Dean AsherSource:Supplied

IT IS hoped that a new offer will prevent further industrial action which has already caused severe disruptions to Sydney commuters over the summer.

After an overtime ban resulted in cancelled services over the Australia Day long weekend and a planned 24-hour strike was forced to be postponed after a Fair Work ruling, negotiations between the train driver’s union and the state government have been ongoing.

Train drivers have now been offered an average 4.06 per cent a year pay rise over three years, however the feud rages on.

In a strongly-worded statement released this morning, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW Secretary, Alex Claassens, said the union is “incredibly” disappointed with how the process is playing out.

“All railway workers are asking for is an enterprise agreement that provides them with better conditions and a fair wage offer and to be treated with the respect that they deserve,” he said.

“We’ve been doing everything we can to try and resolve this issue for many months now and we will continue to work to ensure the dedicated and hardworking employees at Sydney and NSW Trains get an outcome that they deserve.”

The deal will be presented to members in coming weeks, the RTBU said in a statement.

The new offer is now being considered. Picture: Julian AndrewsSource:News Corp Australia

The union received the offer — which would begin with a three per cent pay rise from the day it’s approved — when it met with Sydney and NSW Trains management on Wednesday.

Workers were also offered a one-off $1000 payment plus free bus travel, if the deal was approved.

This compares with a previous offer of a pay rise of 2.75 per cent a year, free bus travel and a one-off $1000 payment, which was rejected by members.

The Fair Work Commission last month ordered planned industrial action by the union be suspended for six weeks while negotiations continued.

RTBU’s Alex Claassens has criticised the NSW Government over the negotiations. Picture: Danny AaronsSource:News Corp Australia

Mr Claassens said workers will now be given the opportunity to hear the details of the new offer at depot meetings over the coming weeks, before determining whether the offer “provides them with the better conditions and a fair wage offer that they deserve”.

“A previous offer was overwhelmingly rejected by a mass meeting of workers’ representatives last week,” he said.

“We’re talking about people’s livelihoods and working conditions here. It is important workers are given every opportunity to discuss the offer on the table and decide for themselves whether this latest offer is good enough.

“It’s incredibly disappointing that the Transport Minister, who is ultimately responsible for this mess, has continually dragged his feet on this important issue.”